Ugadi celebrated with fervour in Karnataka; markets bustle, temples see heavy footfall
Bengaluru (PTI): Yugadi, marking the Kannada New Year, was celebrated across Karnataka on Thursday with traditional fervour and gaiety, with people thronging temples and marketplaces to usher in the festival.
Markets across the capital city witnessed heavy rush since early morning, as people purchased flowers, raw mangoes, fruits and other festive essentials.
The iconic KR Market here has been witnessing large crowds for the past two days, with vendors reporting brisk business amid the festive surge.
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The rains for the past two days in Bengaluru could not diminish the festive mood of the city.
The KR Market was the bustling hotspot on Thursday morning.
“There is huge rush of people for the past two days and this morning it peaked,” Manjunath, a flower vendor at the market said, adding that demand for mango leaves and flowers remained high.
Homes were decked up with fresh ‘Toranas’ made of mango leaves, while courtyards were adorned with colourful rangoli designs as part of the celebrations.
Families prepared traditional delicacies and followed customary rituals associated with the festival.
Devotees visited temples in large numbers to offer special prayers and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being in the new year.
“We prayed for health, happiness and a good year ahead,” V Jyothi, who visited the centuries old Vasantha Vallabharaya Swamy Temple in Bengaluru South told PTI.
The festive spirit was visible across the state, with cultural and religious activities adding to the celebratory mood.
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Woman dies by suicide amid alleged social boycott, five booked in Yadgir
Yadgir (Karnataka) (PTI): A 46-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide after facing sustained social boycott and harassment by members of her community, police said on Thursday.
An FIR has been registered in Yadgir district based on the complaint lodged by Yellappa Suryavamshi (50).
Suryavamshi alleged that the victim Kamalamma (46), a resident of Girinagar area in Yadgir, allegedly jumped into the Bhima river near Joladadagi village between the evening of March 14 and the morning of March 15, following alleged mental harassment linked to a social boycott imposed on her family.
Suryavamshi alleged that their family had been ostracised by members of their community over an unverified accusation involving their son.
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“A village panchayat held on September 8, 2025, had directed the family not to interact with a relative and imposed a 10-year social boycott, asking them to vacate the village,” Suryavamshi said in his complaint.
Following the decision, the family had shifted to a rented house in Yadgir town.
However, earlier this month, when the woman returned to their native locality, a group of individuals allegedly confronted her and reiterated the boycott, the FIR said.
“Despite the earlier boycott, she was again prevented from staying in the village and was subjected to continued mental harassment,” the complainant said.
The complainant further alleged that even relatives who offered shelter to the woman were threatened with similar social ostracism.
“Those who gave her refuge were warned of facing a fresh boycott by convening another panchayat,” Suryavamshi alleged.
Unable to bear the alleged humiliation and pressure, the woman is said to have taken the extreme step, police said.
Her body was recovered from the river on March 15 and shifted to the district government hospital mortuary in Yadgir, police said.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against five individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), police said, adding that further investigation is underway.
